What is a decent (budget) right angle die grinder?

[GT89mustang]

I think one of my next tool purchases will be a right angle grinder, Ive had a few times lately when it wouldve really come in handy for a few small projects. Im trying to keep it under say $50 if possible. Any suggestions?

Also anyone tried any of the harbor freight models, they had 3 when I was at the store the other day, not sure what the major differences were though.

Also considering this set once its available again. I could use a better quality die grinder anyway (it never ends does it?)
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00919559000P?mv=rv

[CamarosRus]

I have a HF air 90' angle air grinder with the 1/4" collet.

I have used the heck out it whilst cleaning bottom side of my 69 Camaro project. I have either spun wire cup brushes or turned the piece that holds scothbrite cookies.

Anyway, for a cheap air tool that Ive only used occasionally, but under hard constant abuse the HF unit has worked for me

[billymade]

Florida Pneumatic traditionally makes good stuff without breaking the bank; this angle head die grinder, when purchased from amazon is less then $50!

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/41pzDRUE3hL_SS500_.jpg?t=1249015495
Florida Pneumatic FP-759RT 1/4-Inch Super-duty Mini Angle Die Grinder
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TDKMGO

[onesickastre]

Up here in Canada it is princess auto, just bought one for $11.93, and it has lifetime warranty... http://www.princessauto.com/air/tools-and-accessories/tools/3410017-1/4-heavy-duty-angle-die-grinder?keyword=1%2F4%5C%22+die+grinder

And i see no visual differenece between that and a co-workers blue point $120 one

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

I too have the Harbor Freight angle die grinder, have used it a lot and have had zero problems with it.

[lilredex]

Up here in Canada it is princess auto, just bought one for $11.93, and it has lifetime warranty... http://www.princessauto.com/air/tools-and-accessories/tools/3410017-1/4-heavy-duty-angle-die-grinder?keyword=1%2F4%5C%22+die+grinder

And i see no visual differenece between that and a co-workers blue point $120 one

You sure about your price?? I want one! Link shows $40

[Bo Heck]

We abuse the piss out of the harbor freight one and it keeps on tickin.

[Rickster]

I would look for one with a paddle switch - you have to hold it down to make it work. I have a Black and Decker with that style and I feel more comfortable while using it. I also have the Harbor Freight but mine has an on/off slider switch. These things get cranking and I'm using mine in tight spaces with a crud-cutter wheel to remove surface from my engine compartment and underbody. And get a face shield and some mechanix gloves with this thing.

[Delray]

I have HF grinders set up with brushes and stones I use often with no problems. I bought a spare for $10 or so years back that I have not needed. Tooltopia has a Rodcraft that looks interesting.

[Skyline]

Buy an IR off eBay. They go for ~$15.

[GT89mustang]

Buy an IR off eBay. They go for ~$15.

Where? Never seen one close to that price on there.

[Delray]

My angle grinder is an IR purchased through Harbor Freight. I think it was about $50 My inlines are HF that sold for $10 or $15 I think.

[Wesley B]

Where? Never seen one close to that price on there.

x10000 :lol_hitti

[sberry]

For electric the 4 1/2 at Walmart about 30$ or so. For air Northern or HF 4 inch model, have 3 of them with hundreds of hrs on a couple. Never so much as had to fool with one, work for years at 60$. For pencil the 30$ one in the middle, Husky or I think that Farmhand is the same, super tough and will outlast several of those real cheapies. Sander, HF or Northern, on the 2nd in my career, that one I replace a common 5$ brg and it has ran several more years.

[johnny1290]

I'd buy every IR on ebay I could find for $15!

I'm on my 3rd one from HF. The first one I tossed because it just quit working, but in retrospect I'd have held on to it until I wwas 100% certain the tool was the problem.

The second one the collet? collar? whatever it is out of the box wouldn't tighten up no matter what. HF kindly exchanged it even though it'd sat around for a few months before I ever used the thing and found out it was busted, and the third one I haven't used yet either, come think, but seems fine.

When I'm doing grinding this is my go to tool and I abuse the heck out of it, if I were going to spend more than HF money on any air tool this is the one. Even on sale it was still around $15-18, cheap I know but more than the average HF cheapie.

[Dust]

My Home Depot right angle die grinder was a great value, though at the higher end of your budget. I think it was $49.99 plus tax.

[Wesley B]

What do yall think about this Mountain grinder. Anyone have it? http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=30331

[Skyline]

Where? Never seen one close to that price on there.
I think I've sold a half dozen of these on eBay over the last year or so...and that was roughly the price I got for them. How much do you think a used $50 air tool is worth???? Especially if it's not in perfect condition, (even if it does work fine). The only IR tools that seem to sell used at better than a 25% of new rate are the 2135 air guns...those might hit 35-40%, (they really are great guns).

My experience with used air tools on eBay, is most do not sell for a lot of money. I think part of the problem is that they have no warrantee, and they do wear out. At least with high quality hand tools, there is some hope of waranteeing a broken or defective item (at least for now anyway....). If it were me though, I would pay a little more, (and be real patient) and try to find an air tool that claims to be in "near new" or "excellent" condition.

[johnny1290]

Hey skyline has a point, here's one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ingersoll-Rand-IR-301-Right-Angle-Die-Grinder-54-95_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhas hZitem19b56db885QQitemZ110418049157QQptZMotorsQ5fA utomotiveQ5fTools)for $55 + $8 shipping

I dunnno, I mean it looks exactly like my HF one, I wonder if it's better quality or from the same factory?:3gears:http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/images/smilies/3gears.gif

[bb1970]

I wouldn't spend $49.99 at Home Depot. It's probably the same one you can get for $10 at HF with a different sticker. If your going to spend $50 get a good name brand IR or any tool truck brand.

[Lhorn]

Are we talking about electric angle grinders, like the 4 1/2 inch type or are we talking about pneumatic angle die grinders?

I just got a angle diegrinder (Sioux) off ebay for about 50 bucks, which I like a lot so far.


"Hey skyline has a point, here's one for $55 + $8 shipping"

FWIW - I think that same IR 301 angle die grinder can be had for about 47 bucks plus shipping from Amazon.com (actually Tooltopia). Unless it's a fair bit cheaper I usually avoid Ebay because I'm afraid of getting stiffed.

[Wesley B]

Are we talking about electric angle grinders, like the 4 1/2 inch type or are we talking about pneumatic angle die grinders?

I just got a angle diegrinder (Sioux) off ebay for about 50 bucks, which I like a lot so far.


"Hey skyline has a point, here's one for $55 + $8 shipping"

FWIW - I think that same IR 301 angle die grinder can be had for about 47 bucks plus shipping from Amazon.com (actually Tooltopia). Unless it's a fair bit cheaper I usually avoid Ebay because I'm afraid of getting stiffed.

We're talking Air grinders(Or at least I am). Like the link in the first post.

[GT89mustang]

Yea I meant an air die grinder, sorry shouldve been more clear in my first post.